Releasable connect/disconnect fitting connection

ABSTRACT

A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position. Relative axial movement of the retaining ring with respect to the fitting body from the first locked axial position to a second unlocked axial position causes the radially outwardly extending portions to operatively engage the corresponding body radial openings to resiliently radially outwardly deform each resilient retaining tab thereby disengaging the radially inwardly extending portions from the pipe and permitting removal of the pipe from the inserted position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a releasable connect/disconnect fittingconnection. The fitting connection could be integrally formed with afitting, such as a pipe connector, a tee fitting, or an elbow fitting.The releasable connect/disconnect fitting permits relatively quickconnection and disconnection of a pipe to a fitting by a mechanical typeconnection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, there have been many different types of fitting connectionsto provide a connection between a pipe and a fitting through amechanical type connection. However, the prior art connections sufferfrom the disadvantage that the connection is generally permanent,meaning that the fitting or connection must be destroyed or disassembledto remove the pipe. Also, the prior art connections generally do notpermit relative rotation of the pipe and fitting after installation, asin many prior art connections are a solvent welded joint which generallyuse volatile organic solvent cements. In other words, there is norelatively efficient and/or quick manner to disconnect a pipe from afitting once it has been connected and then reconnect another pipe orthe same pipe to the fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partiallyovercome some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is anobject of this invention to provide an improved type of connection whichprovides more efficient connection and disconnection of a pipe to afitting.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aconnection to connect and disconnect a pipe to a fitting, the connectioncomprising: a fitting body having a pipe opening for axially receiving apipe along a longitudinal axis and having at least one body radialopening, each body radial opening having an angled tab engaging surface;a retaining ring having at least one axially extending resilientretaining tab, each resilient retaining tab having a radially inwardlyextending portion and a radially outwardly extending portion; whereineach of said radially outwardly extending portions have a chamfered bodyengaging surface which operatively engages the angled tab engagingsurface of a corresponding body radial opening; wherein said radiallyinwardly extending portions engage the pipe when the pipe is in aninserted position and the retaining ring is in a first locked axialposition to retain the pipe in the inserted position; wherein relativeaxial movement of the retaining ring with respect to the fitting bodyfrom the first locked axial position to a second unlocked axial positioncauses the chamfered body engaging surface of each radially outwardlyextending portion to operatively engage the angled tab engaging surfaceof the corresponding body radial opening to resiliently radiallyoutwardly deform each resilient retaining tab disengaging the radiallyinwardly extending portions from the pipe to permit removal of the pipefrom the inserted position in the fitting body.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description and drawings, which illustrate theinvention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a pipe coupling having aconnect/disconnect fitting connection according to one embodiment of thepresent invention at both ends of the pipe coupling with a pipe insertedat one end of the pipe coupling.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the pipe coupling shownin FIG. 1 with a connect/disconnect fitting connection according to oneembodiment of the present invention at both ends of the pipe couplingand a pipe in the inserted position at one end of the pipe coupling withthe retaining ring in the first locked axial position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 2 in more detail with the pipe in the insertedposition and the retaining ring in the first locked axial position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 2 with the pipe in the inserted position andthe pipe removal tool about to engage the retaining ring according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 4 in more detail with the pipe in the insertedposition and the pipe removal tool about to engage the retaining ring.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 4 with the pipe in the inserted position andthe pipe removal tool engaging the retaining ring to relatively axiallymove the retaining ring with respect to the fitting body from the firstlocked axial position to the second unlocked axial position permittingremoval of the pipe.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 6 with the retaining ring in the secondunlocked position permitting removal of the pipe.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the connect/disconnect fitting connectionshown in FIG. 6 with the retaining ring in the second unlocked positionpermitting removal of the pipe.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connect/disconnectfitting connection shown in FIG. 2 with a pipe being inserted into thepipe connection to releasably connect the pipe to the pipe opening ofthe connect/disconnect fitting connection.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connect/disconnect fittingconnection shown in FIG. 9 with a pipe being inserted into the pipeopening of the pipe connection to releasably connect the pipe to theconnect/disconnect fitting connection.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of FIG. 9 with a pipe being inserted into thepipe opening of the pipe connection to releasably connect the pipe tothe connect/disconnect fitting connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can beunderstood by referring to the present drawings. In the presentdrawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of theaccompanying drawings. Also, the following preferred embodiments anddetailed description illustrate and describe non-limiting features ofthe invention.

One or more of the preferred embodiments described herein relates to aconnection to releasably connect a pipe to a fitting. The fitting can beany type of fitting. The connection preferably comprises a fitting bodyhaving a pipe opening for axially receiving a pipe along a longitudinalaxis. The connection also comprises a retaining ring having at leastone, and preferably two, four, six or eight (depending on the size ofthe connection and the pipe) forwardly extending resilient retainingtabs, each resilient retaining tab having a radially inwardly extendingportion, and, a radially outwardly extending portion. The radiallyinwardly extending portions are operable to engage the pipe when thepipe is in the inserted position and the retaining ring is in a firstlocked axial position to retain the pipe in the inserted position.Preferably, the pipe will have at least one groove, and/or other typesof indentation, and the radially inwardly extending portions will engagethe indentations, such as the at least one groove, as the pipe isinserted into the connection. The radially outwardly extending portionsextend through a corresponding body radial opening of the fitting body.The radially outwardly extending portions have a chamfered body engagingsurface which operatively engages an angled tab engaging surface of thecorresponding body radial opening through which it passes.

Insertion of the pipe into the connection can be made in a number ofways, including simply manually inserting the pipe into the pipe openingof the fitting body. Typically, no solvent or other chemical means orchemical pre-treatment of the pipe or the connection are required.However, it is preferred if the pipe has at least one surfaceindentation, such as a groove, or dimples, or other types ofindentations, formed on the exterior of the pipe prior to insertion ofthe pipe into the pipe opening, which groove, or other indentations, maybe engaged by the radially inwardly extending portions of the forwardlyextending resilient retaining tabs.

When the pipe is to be removed or disconnected from the pipe connection,relative axial movement of the retaining ring with respect to thefitting body from a first locked axial position to a second unlockedaxial position causes the chamfered body engaging surfaces of each ofthe radially outwardly extending portions to operatively engage theangled tab engaging surface of the corresponding body radial opening toresiliently radially outwardly deform each of the resilient retainingtabs. This causes the radially inwardly extending portions of theresilient retaining tabs to disengage from the pipe permitting removalof the pipe from the inserted position in the fitting body. Preferably,the connection further comprises a separate removal tool which canengage the retaining ring to relatively axially move the retaining ringwith respect to the fitting body from the first locked axial position tothe second unlocked axial position. More preferably, the retaining ringis annularly shaped and substantially contained within the fitting body.The removal tool may fit between the pipe and the pipe opening of thefitting body to engage the retaining ring permitting axially movement ofthe retaining ring from the first locked axial position to the secondunlocked axial position by moving the retaining ring further into thepipe opening of the fitting body.

These and other preferred embodiments, as well as non-limiting featuresof the invention will be further described below in more detail withrespect to the Figures.

As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention relates to afitting, shown generally by reference numeral 100, having a connection,shown generally by reference numeral 110, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The connection 110 may connect and disconnect apipe, shown generally by reference numeral 2, to the fitting 100. Asshown in FIG. 1, the fitting 100 is a pipe coupling 101, however, it isunderstood that the connection 110 could be used with any type offitting, including, but not limited to, elbow fittings, tee fittings,wye fittings, pipe reducing fittings and pipe expanding fittings, Ptraps, S traps, end caps, as well as various types of flanges. Theconnection 110 is also mechanical, in that no solvents or otherchemicals are required.

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in the present figures, thepipe coupling 101 has a first end 131 and a second end 132 for couplingtwo pipes together. In the embodiment illustrated in the presentfigures, the pipe coupling 101 has a connection 110 according to thepresent invention at both ends 131, 132. However, it is understood thatit is not necessary that the pipe coupling 101 have a pipe connection110 according to the present invention at both ends 131, 132, and onlyone of the ends 131, 132 may have a connection 110 according to thepresent invention.

For ease of illustration, while both ends 131, 132 of the pipe coupling101 illustrated in the figures have connections 110 pursuant to at leastsome embodiments of the present invention, pipe 2 is shown beinginserted only into the second end 132 of the pipe coupling 101. Thefirst end 131 of the pipe coupling 101 shows the pipe connection 110without a pipe (not shown) inserted to assist in illustrating the pipeconnection 110, but it is understood that in use, a pipe (not shown)would be connected to the pipe connection 110 at the first end 131 also.Furthermore, as described in the brief description, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ofthe present invention illustrate the pipe 2 in the inserted position atthe second end 132 with the connection 110 engaging the pipe 2 to resistremoval of the pipe. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the connection 110 aboutto be disengaged from the pipe 2 to permit removal of the pipe. FIGS. 6,7 and 8 illustrate the connection 110 disengaging from the pipe 2 topermit removal of the pipe. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the initialinsertion of the pipe 2 into the second end 132 of the pipe coupling 101prior to the connection 110 engaging and connecting to the pipe 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the connection 110 preferablycomprises a fitting body 10 having or defining a pipe opening 102 of thefitting 100 for axially receiving the pipe 2 along a longitudinal axis,shown generally by the dash lines identified as L_(A) in FIGS. 1 and 2.The fitting body 10 also preferably comprises at least one, and likelytwo or more, body radial openings, shown by reference numeral 12,extending radially from the longitudinal axis L_(A). Each body radialopening 12 has an angled tab engaging surface 13, illustrated forinstance in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The connection 110 also preferably comprises a retaining ring, showngenerally by reference numeral 30, having at least one, and preferablytwo or more axially extending resilient retaining tabs 32. Eachresilient retaining tab 32 has a radially inwardly extending portion 31and a radially outwardly extending portion 36. Preferably, the number ofretaining tabs 32 will be the same, or less than, the number of bodyradial openings 12, such that each outwardly extending portion 36 of theretaining tab 32 will be received by and/or pass through a correspondingbody radial opening 12. Furthermore, it is understood that the retainingtabs 32 and the body radial openings 12 are preferably equally radiallyspaced about the connection 110 and the total number of body radialopenings 12 and retaining tabs 32 will be a function of the size of thepipe to be inserted into the connection 110, the type of pipe and otherdesign constrains and requirements. Accordingly, depending on the sizeof the pipe 2, there may be 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 or more body radial openings12 and a corresponding number of retaining tabs 32. Generally, therewill be an even number of body radial openings 12 and correspondingretaining tabs 32 located equidistantly about the circumference of theopening 102. It is understood, however, that in some cases, there may bemore body radial openings 12 than retaining tabs 32.

Each of the radially outwardly extending portion 36 preferably have achamfered body engaging surface 43 which is able to operatively engagethe corresponding angled tab engaging surface 13 of the correspondingbody radial opening 12 in which the radially outwardly extending portion36 extends. The chamfered body engaging surface 43 operatively engagesthe angled tab engaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radialopening 12 when the retaining ring 30 is relatively axially moved withrespect to the fitting body 10 from the first locked axial position tothe second unlocked axial position as described more fully below.

As described above, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the pipe 2 in the insertedposition and the retaining ring 30 in the first locked axial position.In this first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extendingportions 31 engage the pipe 2 when the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition to retain the pipe 2 in the inserted position. Each of theradially inwardly extending portions 31 preferably have a pipe retainingsurface 34 for retaining the pipe 2 in the inserted position when theretaining ring 30 is in the first locked axial position. The pipe 2preferably has at least one indentation, such as at least one groove 4,or at least one dimple (not shown) and the pipe retaining surface 34 ofat least one radially inwardly extending portion 31 preferably engagessuch indentations, for example, by engaging an inner wall 5 of thegroove 4 facing the pipe opening 102.

As also illustrated in FIG. 2, the connection 110 preferably has a stopwall 15 formed integrally with the fitting body 10. The stop wall 15limits axial insertion of the pipe 2 into the fitting body 10 andspecifically the pipe opening 102. This prevents an insertion end 9 ofthe pipe 2 from being overly inserted into the fitting body 10.Furthermore, the pipe retaining surface 34 of the at least one radiallyinwardly extending portion 31 has an axial position A_(R) (see FIG. 2)in the fitting body 10 with respect to the stop wall 15 whichcorresponds to an axial position A_(G) (see FIG. 2) of the at least onegroove 4 with respect to an insertion end 9 of the pipe 2, such that theinsertion end 9 of the pipe 2 is near, but not adjacent to, the stopwall 15 when the pipe 2 is in the inserted position, as illustrated forinstance, in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, each ofsaid radially outwardly extending portions 36 extend through thecorresponding body radial opening 12 of the fitting body 10. In thisway, the body radial openings 12 of the fitting body 10 are open to anexterior surface of the fitting body 10, as illustrated for instance inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. This permits visible inspection of the radiallyinwardly extending portions 31 when they are engaging the pipe 2, and inparticular, the at least one groove 4 or other indentation (not shown)when the pipe 2 is in the inserted position. In this way, physicalinspection can be made whether or not the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), as well as whether or not theradially inwardly extending portions 31 have engaged the pipe 2.

In a further preferred embodiment, and presuming a water tight seal isdesired, a gasket 50 may be located between the insertion end 9 of thepipe 2 and the retaining ring 30 when the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition and the retaining ring 30 is in the first locked axialposition, as illustrated for instance in FIG. 2. In this way, the gasket50 may provide a seal to the fitting body 10 even if the radial openings12 are open through to the exterior surface of the fitting body 10permitting visible inspection of the radially inwardly extendingportions 31 engaging the pipe 2 when the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition and the retaining ring 30 is in the first locked axialposition.

In a further preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and detailedFIG. 3, each radial body opening 12 further preferably comprises aradial tab engaging surface, shown generally by reference numeral 18.The radial tab engaging surface 18 faces the angled tab engaging surface13 of the body opening 12. Each of the radially outwardly extendingportions 36 of the resilient retaining tabs 32 extends through thecorresponding body opening 12 of the fitting body 10 as discussed above.Preferably, each radially outwardly extending portions 36 comprises anaxial stop surface, shown generally by reference numeral 38 in FIG. 3,which engages the radial tab engaging surface 18 of the correspondingbody opening 12 when the retaining ring 30 is being axially moved withrespect to the fitting body 10 towards the pipe opening 102. In thisway, the interaction of the radial tab engaging surface 18 of each bodyopening 12, and, the axial stop surface 38 of each radially outwardlyextending portion 36 extending through the corresponding body radialopening 12 prevents relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 ina direction towards the pipe opening 102 of the fitting body 10, andthereby prevent potentially undesirable removal of the retaining ring 30from the fitting 100.

Furthermore, as also illustrated in FIG. 3, the radial tab engagingsurface 18 of each radial body opening 12 is substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis L_(A) of the fitting body 10. Similarly, it ispreferred that the angled tab engaging surface 13 of each radial bodyopening 12 be oriented at an acute forward angle α to the longitudinalaxis L_(A). In this way, the radial tab engaging surface 18 acts as anaxial stop for the radially outwardly extending portions 36 preventingundesired axial removal of the retaining ring 30 from the connection 110and potentially unintentional removal from the fitting 100, and, theangled tab engaging surface 13 being at an acute forward angle α to thelongitudinal axis L_(A) facilitates the resilient radial outwarddeformation of each resilient retaining tab 32 to disengage the radiallyinwardly extending portion 31 from the pipe 2 as discussed more fullybelow.

With comparison of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 showing the retaining ring 30 in thefirst locked axial position, and FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, showing the retainingring 30 in the second unlocked axial position, it is apparent thatrelative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 with respect to thefitting body 10 from the first locked axial position to the secondunlocked axial position causes the chamfered body engaging surface 43 ofeach radially outwardly extending portion 36 to operatively engage theangled tab engaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radial opening12. In this way, each of the resilient retaining tabs 32 are resilientlyradially outwardly deformed, which has the effect of causing theradially inwardly extending portion 31 of each of the resilientretaining tabs 32 to disengage from the pipe 2. This is illustrated forinstance in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 where the radially inwardly extendingportions 31 have been removed from the groove 4. More particularly, theretaining surface 34 of the radially inwardly engaging portion 31 nolonger engages the inner wall 5 of the at least one groove 4, becausethe angled tab engaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radialopening 12 has engaged the chamfered body engaging surface 43 of thecorresponding radially outwardly extending portion 36 to resilientlyradially outwardly deform the resilient retaining tab 32, disengagingthe radially inwardly extending portion 31 from the indentation, in thispreferred embodiment, the groove 4 on the pipe 2. When the retainingring 30 is in the second unlocked axial position, and, the radiallyinwardly extending portions 31 no longer engages the pipe 2, the pipe 2may be removed from the inserted position of the fitting body 10. Inthis way, the connection 110 may releasably disconnected the pipe 2 fromthe fitting 100 permitting removal of the pipe 2 from the fitting body10.

Once the pipe 2 has been removed from the connection 110, both theconnection 110 and the pipe 2 could be reused. In other words, the pipe2 may be connected to the same connection 110, or a different connection110 on another fitting (not shown). Likewise, the connection 110 on thesecond end 132 of the pipe coupling 101 shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 couldbe reused with another pipe (not shown).

It is apparent that the relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30with respect to the fitting body 10 from the first locked axial positionto the second unlocked axial position results from the retaining ring 30moving axially forward further into the fitting body 10. It should beappreciated that this relative axial movement can occur in any number ofways. For instance, it can be done through physical means or eventhrough electromagnetic means if magnetic elements are used in theretaining ring 30. It is preferred that the relative axial movement ofthe retaining ring 30 with respect to the fitting body 10 from the firstlocked axial position to the second unlocked axial position results fromthe retaining ring 30 moving axially forward into the fitting body 10.This, in general, is a more difficult movement, particularly whenremoval of the pipe 2 requires axial movement in the opposite axialdirection, thereby decreasing the likelihood of unauthorized orundesired improper movement of the retaining ring 30 to the secondunlocked axial position, and undesired removal of the pipe 2 from theinserted position of the fitting body 10.

The relative interaction of each of the retaining tabs 32 with thecorresponding body radial opening 12 as the retaining ring 30 movesaxially forward with respect to the fitting body 10 from the firstlocked axial position to the second unlocked axial position will now bedescribed in more detail with respect to a preferred embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when theretaining ring 30 is in the first locked axial position with respect tothe body fitting 10, the chamfered body engaging surface 43 of eachradially outwardly extending portion 36 is in an axial position, showngenerally by reference P_(R), which is axially offset from the angledtab engaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radial opening 12,shown generally by reference P_(B), through which the radially outwardlyextending portion 36 extends. By comparison, as illustrated in FIGS. 6,7 and 8, when the retaining ring 30 is in the second unlocked axialposition with respect to the body fitting 10, the chamfered bodyengaging surface 43 of each radially outwardly extending portion 36 isaxially aligned with the angled tab engaging surface 13 of thecorresponding body radial opening 12 illustrated by the axial positionsP_(B) and P_(R) shown overlapping in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, such that thechamfered body engaging surface 43 operatively engages the angled tabengaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radial opening 12. In thisway, the operative interaction of the chamfered body engaging surface 43of each radially outwardly extending portion 36 with the angled tabengaging surface 13 of the corresponding body radial opening 12translates the relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 withrespect to the fitting body 10 from the first locked axial position tothe second unlocked axial position into radial movement of eachresilient retaining tab 32 from a radially locked position, as shown inFIG. 3 where the radially inwardly extending portion 31 is engaging thepipe 2 to retain the pipe 2 in the inserted portion, to a radiallyunlocked position, as shown in FIG. 8, where the radially inwardlyextending portion 31 is disengaged from the pipe 2, permitting removalof the pipe 2 from the inserted position and the fitting body 10.

While the relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 with respectto the fitting body 10 from the first locked axial position to thesecond unlocked axial position may be performed in a number of ways, ina preferred embodiment, the connection 110 comprises a removal tool,shown generally by reference numeral 80, to engage the retaining ring 30facilitating relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 withrespect to the fitting body 10 from the first locked axial position tothe second unlocked axial position. The removal tool 80 is shown inFIGS. 4 to 8, however, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the removal tool 80 is shownengaging the retaining ring 30 while the retaining ring 30 is still inthe first locked axial position, and, in FIGS. 6 to 8, the removal tool80 is shown engaging the retaining ring 30 while the retaining ring 30is shown in the second unlocked axial position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the retaining ring 30 preferably comprises aremoving tool engaging surface 48 which is located within or flush withthe pipe opening 102 of the fitting body 10. The removal tool 80preferably also comprises a retaining ring engaging surface 82 whichengages the removing tool engaging surface 48 of the retaining ring 30to facilitate relative axial movement of the retaining ring 30 withrespect to the fitting body 10. Preferably, the retaining ring 30 isannularly shaped and substantially contained within the fitting body 10when the pipe 2 is in the inserted position as shown in FIG. 5. Morepreferably, and is shown in FIG. 7, the annularly shaped retaining ring30 has an outer diameter, shown generally by reference numeral O_(R),which is less that the inner diameter, shown generally by referencenumeral IP of the pipe opening 102, such that the retaining ring 30 issubstantially contained within the pipe opening 102. In this way, theretaining ring 30 is concealed from, or at least not exposed to theouter elements, which lessens the likelihood that the retaining ring 30would be moved unintentionally and undesirably from the first lockedaxial position to the second unlocked axial position. While theretaining ring 30 may have an outer diameter O_(R) which is less thanthe inner diameter I_(P) of the pipe opening 102, each of the radiallyoutwardly extending portions 36 may extend radially outwardly throughthe corresponding body radial opening 12 of the fitting body 10 beyondthe inner diameter I_(P) of the pipe opening 102 to permit visualinspection of the movement of the radially outwardly extending portions36 through the radial openings 12 to ensure the pipe 2 has beencorrectly engaged and/or disengaged from the connection 110.

Preferably, the removal tool 80 may fit between the pipe 2 and the pipeopening 102 of the fitting body 10 when the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition to engage the removing tool engaging surface 48 of theretaining ring 30. In this way, axial movement of the removal tool 80against the removing tool engaging surface 48 of the retaining ring 30while holding the fitting body 10, permits axial movement of theretaining ring 30 forward and further into the pipe opening 102 of thefitting body 10 from the first locked axial position to the secondunlocked axial position. In a preferred embodiment, the removal tool 80may be composed of two parts that fit against at least a portion, andpreferably all, of the removal tool engaging surface 48 of the retainingring 30. The two parts of the removal tool 80 may be identical and fittogether. In this way, the removal tool 80 may be able to apply equalaxial force along the entire removal tool engaging surface 48 of theretaining ring 30 to provide even translation movement of the retainingring 30 from the first locked axial position to the second unlockedaxial position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the removing toolengaging surface 48 of the retaining ring 30 is located flush with thepipe opening 102 of the fitting body 10, shown generally by referenceP_(F), or slightly within the fitting body 10. In this way, theretaining ring 30 is protected by the pipe opening 102, and it is lesslikely that the retaining ring 30 will be improperly engaged andinadvertently moved axially forward, thereby unintentionally disengagingthe connection 110. Furthermore, as also illustrated in FIG. 5, in afurther preferred embodiment, the pipe 2 may have a further indentationor marking, such as the second groove, shown generally by referencenumeral 8. This second groove 8 may be formed on the pipe 2 at the sametime that the first groove 4 is formed. The second groove 8 maypreferably also be located at the flush position P_(F) of the pipeopening 102 of the fitting body 10 when the pipe 2 is in the insertedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this way, the second groove 8being aligned with the flush position P_(F) at the entrance of the pipeopening 102 may act as a further visual indication to the user of theconnection 110 that the pipe 2 is in the inserted position (as shown inFIGS. 1 to 5) and the radially inwardly extending portion 31 of theretaining tabs 32 has engaged the pipe 2 to retain the pipe 2 in theinserted position.

As discussed above, FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate the initial insertion ofthe pipe 2 into the second end 132 of the pipe coupling 101 prior to theconnection 110 engaging and connecting to the pipe 2. As illustrated inFIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the pipe 2 is axially inserted into the fitting body10 through the pipe opening 102. As illustrated in the Figures, the pipe2 is inserted into the pipe opening 102, the pipe 2 engages the radiallyinwardly extending portion 31 and resiliently radially outwardly deformsthe resilient retaining tabs 32, permitting axial insertion of the pipe2 into the pipe opening 102 of the fitting body 10. To facilitate axialinsertion of the pipe 2, the pipe 2 preferably has a pipe chamferededge, shown generally by reference numeral 3 in FIG. 11, at theinsertion end 9 of the pipe 2. The pipe chamfered edge 3 preferablyengages the chamfered pipe engaging surface 33 of the retaining tabs 32during axial insertion of the pipe 2 to resiliently outwardly deform theresilient retaining tabs 32, permitting axial insertion of the pipe 2 tothe inserted position.

As illustrated in the Figures, the inner diameter, shown by I_(R), atthe first end 131 of the pipe coupling 101 in FIG. 4 of the radiallyinwardly extending portions 31 when they are at rest, is less than theouter diameter O_(DP) of the pipe 2. In this way, when the pipe 2 isinserted to the inserted position, resilient retaining tabs 32 aresuddenly resiliently inwardly deformed into the external groove 4, orother indentions, permitting the pipe retaining surface 34 to engage thepipe 2. This sudden resilient inward deformation of the tabs 32, maymake an audible sound, such as a snapping sound. This snapping sound isa further audible indication that the pipe 2 is in the inserted positionand the radially inwardly extending portions 31 have engaged the pipe 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in a preferred embodiment, the pipe 2 has agroove 4 with at least the inner wall 5 as discussed above. Theinsertion of the pipe 2 into the pipe opening 102 to the insertedposition causes the pipe retaining surface 34 of at least one radiallyinwardly extending portion 31 to operatively engage the inner wall 5 ofthe at least one external groove 4 of the pipe 2 to retain the pipe 2 inthe inserted position while the retaining ring 30 remains in the firstlocked axial position.

Accordingly, various preferred embodiments and features of thereleasable connect/disconnect connection 110 have been described. It isunderstood that the connection fitting 110 of the present invention hasbeen described with respect to a particular type of pipe fitting 100,namely a pipe coupling 101, but it is understood that the invention isnot limited to pipe couplings 101. Rather, the present invention may beused with any type of pipe fitting 100. In particular, the connection110 of the present invention could be used with elbow fittings, teefittings, wye fittings, pipe reducing fittings and pipe expandingfittings, P traps, S traps, and end caps, to provide a few non-limitingexamples. This fitting connection of the present invention is notlimited to pipe fitting, but could also be used with flanges and otherapplications to replace solvent welded joints or connections.

It is understood that no element, act or implementation described inthis description of the present application should be construed asessential to the invention or critical to the implementation, unlessexplicitly described as such. Also, where only one item is intended, theterm “one” or similar language is used, but it is understood that thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more items. Furthermore, theword “comprising” is intended to mean including, unless explicitlystated otherwise.

It will be understood that, although various features of the inventionhave been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments ofthe invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention maybe combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodimentsof the invention as described and illustrated herein.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the inventionincludes all embodiments, which are functional, electrical or mechanicalequivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have beendescribed and illustrated herein.

1. A connection to connect and disconnect a pipe to a fitting, theconnection comprising: a fitting body having a pipe opening for axiallyreceiving a pipe along a longitudinal axis and having at least one bodyradial opening, each body radial opening having an angled tab engagingsurface; a retaining ring having at least one axially extendingresilient retaining tab, each resilient retaining tab having a radiallyinwardly extending portion and a radially outwardly extending portion;wherein each of said radially outwardly extending portions have achamfered body engaging surface which operatively engages the angled tabengaging surface of a corresponding body radial opening; wherein saidradially inwardly extending portions engage the pipe when the pipe is inan inserted position and the retaining ring is in a first locked axialposition to retain the pipe in the inserted position; wherein relativeaxial movement of the retaining ring with respect to the fitting bodyfrom the first locked axial position to a second unlocked axial positioncauses the chamfered body engaging surface of each radially outwardlyextending portion to operatively engage the angled tab engaging surfaceof the corresponding body radial opening to resiliently radiallyoutwardly deform each resilient retaining tab disengaging the radiallyinwardly extending portions from the pipe to permit removal of the pipefrom the inserted position in the fitting body.
 2. The connection asdefined in claim 1, wherein the relative axial movement of the retainingring with respect to the fitting body from the first locked axialposition to the second unlocked axial position results from theretaining ring moving axially forward into the pipe opening of thefitting body.
 3. The connection as defined in claim 1, wherein, in thefirst locked axial position, the chamfered body engaging surface of eachradially outwardly extending portion is axially offset from the angledtab engaging surface of the corresponding body radial opening, and, inthe second unlocked axial position the chamfered body engaging surfaceof each radially outwardly extending portion is axially aligned with theangled tab engaging surface of the corresponding body radial openingsuch that the chamfered body engaging surface operatively engages theangled tab engaging surface to translate the relative axial movement ofthe retaining ring with respect to the fitting body from the firstlocked axial position to the second unlocked axial position into radialmovement of each resilient retaining tab from a radially lockedposition, where the radially inwardly extending portion is engaging thepipe to retain the pipe in the inserted position, to a radially unlockedposition, where the radially inwardly extending portion is disengagedfrom the pipe, permitting removal of the pipe from the inserted positionin the fitting body.
 4. The connection as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising a removal tool to relatively axially move the retaining ringwith respect to the fitting body from the first locked axial position tothe second axial unlocked position; wherein said removal tool engagesthe retaining ring to relatively axially move the retaining ring withrespect to the fitting body.
 5. The connection as defined in claim 4,wherein the retaining ring is annularly shaped and substantiallycontained between the fitting body when the pipe is in the insertedposition; wherein said retaining ring comprises a removal tool engagingsurface which is located within or flush with the pipe opening of thefitting body; and wherein said removal tool fits within the pipe openingbetween the pipe in the inserted position and the pipe opening of thefitting body to engage the removal tool engaging surface of theretaining ring and axially move the retaining ring forward into the pipeopening of the fitting body from the first locked axial position to thesecond unlocked axial position.
 6. The connection as defined in claim 1,each of said radially outwardly extending portions extends through thecorresponding body radial opening of the fitting body, and, the bodyradial openings of the fitting body are open to an exterior surface ofthe fitting body to permit visible inspection of the radially inwardlyextending portions engaging the pipe when in the pipe is in the insertedposition.
 7. The connection as defined in claim 6 further comprising agasket axially located between an inserted end of the pipe and theretaining ring when the pipe is in the inserted position and theretaining ring is in the first locked axial position to seal thefitting.
 8. The connection as defined in claim 1, wherein each of saidradially inwardly extending portions have a pipe retaining surface forretaining the pipe in the inserted position when the retaining ring isin the first locked axial position; wherein axial insertion of the pipeinto the fitting body causes the pipe to resiliently radially outwardlydeform the resilient retaining tab permitting axial insertion of thepipe in the fitting body; and wherein continued insertion of the pipeinto the pipe opening to the inserted position when the retaining ringis in the first locked axial position causes the pipe retaining surfaceto engage the pipe and retain the pipe in the inserted position.
 9. Theconnection as defined in claim 8, wherein the pipe has at least oneexternal groove which operatively engages the pipe retaining surface ofat least one radially inwardly extending portion when the pipe is in theinserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axialposition.
 10. The connection as defined in claim 9, wherein the at leastone external groove has inner wall facing the pipe opening such thatinsertion of the pipe into the pipe opening to the inserted positioncauses the pipe retaining surface of at least one radially inwardlyextending portion to operatively engage the inner wall of the at leastone external groove and retain the pipe in the inserted position whilethe retaining ring remains in the first locked axial position.
 11. Theconnection as defined in claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of theradially inwardly extending portions is less than the outer diameter ofthe pipe such that when the resilient retaining tabs is resilientlyinwardly deformed into the external groove permitting the pipe retainingsurface to engage the pipe, a snapping sound is made.
 12. The connectionas defined in claim 11 wherein each of said radially inwardly extendingportions have a chamfered pipe engaging surface facing the opening ofthe fitting body which engages the pipe during axial insertion thereofto resiliently outwardly deform the resilient retaining tab permittingaxial insertion of the pipe to the inserted position in the fittingbody.
 13. The connection as defined in claim 12 further comprising astop wall which limits axial insertion of the pipe into the fittingbody; and wherein the pipe retaining surface of the at least oneradially inwardly extending portion has an axial position in the fittingbody with respect to the stop wall which corresponds an axial positionof the at least one groove with respect to an insertion end of the pipesuch that the insertion end of the pipe is near but not adjacent thestop wall when the pipe is in the inserted position.
 14. The connectionas defined in claim 1 wherein each radial body opening further comprisesa radial tab engaging surface facing the angled tab engaging surface andeach of said radially outwardly extending portions extends through thecorresponding body radial opening of the fitting body and comprise anaxial stop surface which engages the radial tab engaging surface toprevent relative axial movement of the retaining ring in a directiontoward the pipe opening of the fitting body.
 15. The connection asdefined in claim 14 wherein the radial tab engaging surfaces aresubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fitting bodyand the angled tab engaging surfaces are oriented at an acute forwardangle to the longitudinal axis.
 16. The connection as defined in claim15 wherein the retaining ring is annularly shaped with an outer diameterwhich is less than the inner diameter of the pipe opening such that theretaining ring is substantially contained within the pipe opening; andwherein each of said radially outwardly extending portions extendradially through the corresponding body radial opening of the fittingbody beyond the inner diameter of the pipe opening.